Chapter 89

Qin Shi was dazzled by the flashing golden light, staring blankly at the circuit board in his hand. Brother Ze, what the hell did you drop? A top-tier material of Legendary grade?

So many perfect affixes for Martial Artist Paths!

It couldn't possibly be some ninety-nine percent new Martial God original flavor, right?

"I learned from Luo Ji that Qin Lihao got hold of the advanced textbooks lost by the Zidi Xuexiao back then, planning to give them to Chen Ruofu as a congratulatory gift, which is why he ran off to Jiusong Port."

A blessing in disguise, Cheng Ze's irreversible flesh rusting became a life-saving medicine instead; otherwise, with a wound as severe as his chest being pierced, massive blood loss alone would have sent him to his death.

"Greed forged a grave mistake. I never expected that the container he used to seal the textbooks and conceal their aura was a haunted thing parasitized by an Electronic Demon. The moment I touched it, I was bewitched.

Originally planned to pull off one job and run away, to become a Merchant Ronin from then on, but it ended up turning into this mess……"

Cheng Ze leaned against the wall with a bitter smile, lowering his head to look at his charred black skin.

In his current state, it would be hard to still call him a "human," right?

"Brother Ze, let's come clean and confess, strive for lenient treatment. Even if we serve a few years in prison, it's better than turning into something neither human nor ghost like a mechanical lifeform; at least we can still preserve our own minds."

Qin Shi comforted him with kind words.

He was well-versed in Dongxia Criminal Law, and felt that Cheng Ze's situation wasn't that severe even if described seriously; at least it hadn't reached the level of summary execution without trial.

The discretion of guilt depended entirely on how the Urban Circle's Inspection Department planned to handle it.

After all, aside from the unlucky Yincheng Qin Family, no second victim could be found at present.

But the one most unwilling to let this go, to pursue it to the bitter end, was probably the Qin Family.

Privately possessing contraband tainted with Demon Qi, and illegally holding onto Zidi Xuexiao textbooks without handing them over to the Martial Association…… all were charges with relatively severe consequences.

Any single one, if seriously pursued, could strip a layer of skin off the Qin Family.

"A Shi, you're holding that thing, didn't you hear the terrifying delirious whispers with a bewitching nature?"

Regarding the trial or treatment he might face, Cheng Ze didn't care, willing to accept it.

He was more curious how Qin Shi managed to remain calm and composed, unaffected by the Electronic Demon.

On the Martial Artist Path, without Life Force reaching Professional level, the mental aspect couldn't be considered outstanding; on the contrary, it was a weakness easily broken through.

Unless one's spirit was extraordinary, fearless of external interference, remaining unmoved throughout.

If that were truly the case, this Jinmen Dizi accepted by Lao Liang was truly so outstanding that one couldn't even give birth to jealous thoughts.

"It's been beeping and muttering non-stop, pretty noisy. But that's limited to noise, no other feeling."

Qin Shi answered truthfully. From the moment he gripped that circuit board, an invisible wave fluctuation had entangled him, like a ghost emitting a low whisper.

Mostly just some pointless nonsense, things like "Blood Flesh Weakness," "Serve Me as Master," "Follow my will, Respond to Mechanical Heart" — that kind of uniformly dull content.

With the 【Electronic Mind】 trait's blessing, Qin Shi's heart not only had zero fluctuation, but even carried a hint of disdain and contempt.

Electronic Demon with just this level of professional competence?

Not even as good as the real estate agents on Old Factory Street!

Back and forth just those few lines, like a repeater, how does it bewitch people into taking the bait?

"Keep yapping, I'll eat you in one bite!"

Qin Shi secretly threatened.

That circuit board trembled slightly, as if it understood, and quietly stopped making a sound.

"If it weren't for a Flesh Sluggishness negative effect, I'd guarantee I'd eat it clean in one go."

Qin Shi felt a slight regret. You should know, in his Food Ingredient Classification, this circuit board was a mid-quality great tonic.

Swallowing it down would not only grant Electronic Perception and Mechanical Affinity — essential talents for those majoring in the Mechanical System — but also a chance to obtain the Mechanical Apprentice Certification.

Equivalent to adding an enhancement to the 【Worker Warrior】 Achievement, and incidentally boosting his own Life Force Cultivation Speed.

Blood Profit!

Winning big!

"It's just that as an Old Martial Arts practitioner, walking a Martial Artist Path focused on Flesh Vitality, enduring this kind of debuff is a bit uncomfortable."

Qin Shi sighed, making the difficult trade-off.

As for that golden Legendary-grade super feast, he couldn't help but lick his lips.

This would definitely fill him up!

For the first time, he rarely produced the thought of not knowing where to start eating, and the hesitation of what if he burst his stomach.

"Better ask Lao Liang to be safe."

Qin Shi chose caution, suppressing the intense desire emanating from every cell in his body, and shouted downward:

"Sister Yun, things are wrapped up, hurry up and get the Inspection Department over here to clean up the scene!"

His mind impacted by the Electronic Demon, Cheng Ze's consciousness gradually blurred.

Before passing out, he deliberately reminded:

"That textbook is very important, A Shi. Although the Qin Family dares not make a scene letting the Urban Circle know the inside story, they will definitely keep watching you, trying to find a way to get it back from your hands. You must be careful in all things, best not to conflict with them head-on."

……

……

Inside the Temporary Command Room, having witnessed Qin Shi circle around behind and pierce Cheng Ze with a hand knife, cutting off the Electronic Demon's reception signal and completely stopping the "Flying Ascension Ritual," Chen Ruofu exclaimed with feeling:

"The younger generation is formidable."

He didn't know how Qin Shi bypassed the omnipresent electronic sentries, and thought this kid had charged through invincibly all the way, killing his way in and out seven times, finally charging alone into the formation to behead the leader.

"Minister, do we still execute the Red Alert Plan?"

The Secretary asked quietly.

"Shelve it for now. Have the Inspection Department rush to the scene immediately to confirm whether the crisis is lifted."

Chen Ruofu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Although activating a destructive strike to strangle the not-yet-mature Electronic Demon in the cradle belonged to reasonable and compliant execution tactics, being in his position he had to plan for his politics; everything had to consider subsequent influence.

Excessive casualties, excessive losses on all sides, would inevitably lead to his evaluation dropping, losing the possibility of Further Progress, of stepping into Center City.

"Secretary Huo, look into this kid later. He's the great savior of Old Factory Street, and the great hero who saved the political lives of everyone present. He must be found and thanked."

Chen Ruofu actively set the tone, to prevent anyone from pulling confused operations.

He had been in the Urban Circle's Patrol Department for over a decade, and knew deeply that one cannot underestimate the ability of bureaucrats, but also cannot overestimate their bottom line.

The Old Factory Street incident blew up this big, and was resolved this beautifully; it's hard to guarantee no profit-blinded fools would jump out to snatch credit.

This isn't wild speculation — the less background a small figure has, the easier their contributions and results are for others to pluck away.

"Okay, Minister."

The refined Secretary Huo nodded, indicating he'd noted it down, as if mentioning casually:

"Patrol Department Team Seven's Chen Zhang seems to know this young hero; the two of them acted together."

Chen Ruofu narrowed his eyes, tone light:

"Chen Yun held the frontline; her merit isn't small either. A typical example can be set, a commendation circulated."

The inspection personnel nearby couldn't help but admire; no wonder she could become the Leader's Close Secretary.

Who in the Inspection Department doesn't know Chen Zhang is Minister Chen's daughter.

But to brush the credit past with a light, offhand sentence like Secretary Huo — truly few people can pull that off.

"Minister, Qin Renying's call."

Walking out of the Temporary Command Room, outside the sky was faintly bright, tinged with fish-belly white; Secretary Huo handed the mobile phone to Chen Ruofu.

The latter waved a hand, expression calm:

"News travels truly fast. Far away in Yincheng, yet every stir of wind and grass in the Urban Circle's upper echelons is known like the back of his hand. Don't pick up for now; the storm has settled, so Qin Renying should properly ponder how to give me an accounting.

Secretary Huo, have a helicopter readied. I'm going to the Factory Area myself."

……

……

"Sister's getting promoted!"

Chen Yun grinned, inspecting the scene, her mind full of how to write the report later, highlighting her own heroic and fearless, glorious image.

She hugged her chest, looked up at this operation's MVP, Student Qin Shi, wanting to pounce and kiss him:

"Xiao Qin, how should the hero banquet be held? Just for you penetrating deep into the rear and turning the tide, letting Sister wear black silk and keep you company for a night isn't impossible."

Qin Shi's eyes flickered; with thunderous and swift speed he swept a glance at Chen Yun's legs. Long is long, white is white, but compared to Lin Yunqing, still a bit worse.

"Sister Yun, I merely fulfilled the duty a Dongxia Citizen ought to fulfill. The several hundred thousand reward money, college entrance exam bonus fifty points, TV interview, hero banner, marry me, Four Great National special recruitment... you all just be generous, no need to be too polite."

Chen Yun's mouth twitched listening; you brat really dare to think. The first few items are all negotiable, but that last one — unless you can save Hengzhou from fire and water, make the Dongxia Republic award you an Honorary Medal — it's pure daydreaming.

The Four Great Nationals are academies standing at the Galaxy Top; in a certain sense they've already transcended the category of "Education Institution," ascending to the concept of "Great Power," "Great Clan."

After all, the resources they can mobilize, the energy they possess, have long surpassed the Planetary Governor of a Provincial Governor, directly approaching the Highest Core of the Three Departments and Nine Bureaus.

"Sister Yun, can I keep this circuit board?"

Qin Shi actively threw out the topic. The Inspection Department aren't idiots; through interrogating Brother Ze, plus collating all sorts of information from the Qin Family side, they'll definitely learn the Electronic Demon's formation cause.

He secretly pocketed the war trophy; this thing definitely can't be hidden, so might as well be open and aboveboard and directly ask for it, saving the trouble that suspicion would bring.

"Fine, but have the Item Identification Department colleagues check it for any Electronic Demon residue."

Chen Yun agreed readily, her heart immersed in the wonderful fantasy of promotion and salary increase, rapid promotion, mood so good that even if Qin Shi invited her to a hotel tonight to eat a Full Family Bucket, she'd consider agreeing.

"Xiao Ba, come scan this, see if this circuit board still has demon Breath."

Qin Shi handed over the circuit board, not too worried about being exposed by the energy named "Fire Seed" on the Stele Panel.

That incessant repeater voice has been silent since just now.

If not for myself activating 【Electronic Mind】, plus the 【Overgrowth】 ingredient radar sensing, there'd be no way to discover its existence.

"Electronic wave peak normal."

Xiao Ba quickly returned the thing:

"Zhang, all infected appliances have varying degrees of damage. Fortunately the living carriers of the Electronic Demon Virus never used large-scale propagation methods; only need centralized disinfection, clearing the influence is enough."

Chen Yun nodded. The Electronic Demon's most vexing problem lies in boundless spread.

As long as energy is sufficient, signal strong enough, they can even infect the whole world within three days, causing all electronic facilities to fail, awakening the vast Mechanical Body Army.

So the Electronic Demon's alias is also "Fire Seed," meaning rampage fierce, burn all things.

But conversely, as long as the source is contained, rendering it unable to spread, the Electronic Demon's threat is very small.

Because it itself possesses no attack methods to speak of; it must pass through "Possession" to seek a host to Parasitize.

"Xiao Qin, when you resolved Cheng Ze, did you hear the Electronic Demon emit a screech?"

Chen Yun flipped through the on-site search records, convenient for writing the summary report later.

"Probably, a fairly weak zizi electric current sound; didn't last long before dissipating."

Qin Shi answered vaguely.

"Cheng Ze's body has partial demon Breath; flesh tissue converted sixty-five percent; hereafter very hard to return to original human."

Chen Yun shook her head:

"Fortunately this Electronic Demon didn't grow much. Old Factory Street has long been under electronic blockade; it couldn't find powerful energy to replenish itself. Since you heard the screech fluctuation, maybe it auto-perished. This existence called demon is truly hard to observe..."

Qin Shi inexplicably felt that himself at this moment should have heavy guilty-feeling.

But the text information constantly jumping on his retina made it hard for him to part with the war trophy.

【Growth Degree +20】

【Growth Degree +50】

【Growth Degree +100...】

In mere minutes, the Stele Panel's Growth Progress was crazily pulled, even the Description changed.

【Anchor Point: Qin Shi】

【Growth Stage: Embryo】

【Progress: 1%】

【Description: A carbon-based creature with certain survivability, its body potential gradually developed, possessing powerful learning and imitation abilities, knowing how to proficiently use tools, and plundering vast amounts of resources like locusts. A bug with quite considerable growth space!】

「Vitality not significantly improved, progress rapidly advancing, it seems the 'Embryo' growth stage of the Stele Panel just needs energy, rather than simple individual upgrade. 」

Qin Shi held that circuit board in his hand, simultaneously absorbing two completely different breaths, one like variegated ink dark qi, the other golden light shining like the sun majestic qi.

Like a super-sized charging treasure, endlessly providing energy supply.

Immediately after, the two towering stelae among the achievement panel that could be promoted to advanced rumbled and trembled, as if data flows flashed and jumped, slowly condensing text information.

【Transcendable】

【Advanced Achievement-Deep Sleep】

【Advanced Achievement-Muscle Memory】

These two stela achievements that were hard to promote further popped up clear markings of small plus signs.

Qin Shi slightly cast his gaze, and more related content appeared.

【Deep Sleep Transcendable……】

【Legendary Talent】

【Heart of Steel】

……

【Muscle Memory Transcendable……】

【Legendary Talent】

【Perfect Body】

……

「So after advanced achievements, there's a 'Legendary' tier? 」

Qin Shi's eyes brightened slightly, instantly feeling he had a goal to strive for again.

It was just that his liver started to faintly ache again.

「You're Qin Shi, right? 」

Just as Qin Shi was considering which achievement to transcend, a tall figure suddenly came before him, the other wearing an Inspection Department uniform, appearing higher in rank than Chen Yun.

The latter led a team, belonging to senior patrol, this middle-aged man who came from who knows where should be an inspector or so.

「I'm Gao Haipeng of the Inspection Department Action Division, nice to meet you. 」

The middle-aged man introduced himself, his hawk-like sharp eyes revealing obvious scrutiny, as if accustomed to treating anyone as a potential criminal.

「Qin Shi, may I ask what you want that circuit board for? 」

Vitality should be sixty points or more?

Official authority very heavy, attitude not good, coming for himself?

Qin Shi furrowed his brows, then revealed his signature shy smile:

「Personal interest, a little hobby. 」

In the past, Old Factory Street workers' children absolutely couldn't afford to offend Gao Haipeng, this big shot of the Urban Circle Inspection Department.

But now……

Qin Shi pinched that circuit board with two fingers, turned his head and shouted:

「Sister Yun, can I take this thing? 」

Chen Yun, who was discussing the situation with team members, turned around, her gaze locking onto Gao Haipeng, she strode forward and stepped between the two:

「Of course, this is my permission. 」

Gao Haipeng retreated half a step, smiling but not smiling:

「Chen Zhang, Qin Shi is just a student, taking such key evidence, isn't against the rules? I suggest leaving it, handing over to the Action Division, perhaps there are other clues. 」

Chen Yun crossed her arms and remained silent, putting on a cold-faced stance of 'I don't agree, what can you do'.

「Chen Zhang, I am Second Grade Inspector, according to Inspection Department regulations, you need to obey my command. 」

Gao Haipeng said with a smile:

「Or, do you think relying on your father being Chen Minister, you can not follow rules. Then I have nothing to say. 」

Chen Yun's facial color turned ugly, she hated it most when someone used this to make a point.

「Following rules is very important, but also depends on whose rules are being followed. 」

Both sides deadlocked, a heavy steady voice like a wave swept over, dispersing the gradually oppressive frozen atmosphere.

「Inspection Department, my rules are the rules. Inspector Gao, if you're not convinced, you can file a complaint against Chen. 」

Saying I Chen Ruofu practice one-man rule, appoint relatives based on personal connections, let my own daughter act lawlessly, run rampant. 」

(Chapter End)